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Cheesy Taco Pasta

February 11, 2023 by Tristin 11 Comments

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This cheesy taco pasta is a warm, hearty meal full of delicious taco flavors the whole family will love! It’s a classic one pot dinner and is your new best friend for those busy weeknights!

If you love quick and easy dinners that don’t skimp on flavor, you’re in the right place! My Weight Watchers Taco Soup tastes like tacos, but is healthy and guilt-free! This Instant Pot Tortellini Soup comes together in under half an hour yet tastes like you were cooking all day!

A spoonful of pasta above a pan full of pasta.

Since everything cooks in just one pot, this cheesy taco pasta recipe is truly the easiest. You’ll have dinner on the table in about half an hour from start to finish! It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner, so save this recipe for your next Taco Tuesday (or a Frantic Friday).

Although tacos are quick to make, I love that this recipe takes care of itself. Once you get everything started, you can step away to help the kids with their homework, feed the dog, or start a load of laundry.

Plus, you won’t get any complaints about this recipe! Your entire family will gladly devour this meal. I like to serve this dish with an assortment of toppings so everyone can add their own favorite taco toppings. This keeps the build-your-own taco fun going but with less mess.

Very up close of

What is Cheesy Taco Pasta?

This cheesy taco pasta tastes like classic Hamburger Helper but way better. It starts with basic ingredients: a base of taco meat seasoned with homemade taco seasoning and salsa. The best part is that you cook the pasta shells with the taco meat, so every bite has all the flavors of a taco!

It reminds me a bit of a baked pasta dish, except instead of marinara sauce, the easy taco pasta is held together with salsa and your favorite taco spices. Plus, it’s even easier than baked pasta because it just requires one pot! You only need one large skillet and a cutting board to chop up your toppings. You don’t need to boil pasta, prepare special sauces, or anything else.

This recipe is the epitome of easy.

Cheesy Taco Pasta Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients to make this cheesy pasta recipe. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for full ingredients.

  • Ground turkey – I love using ground turkey as it is lower in fat than ground beef yet high in protein. It absorbs the taco seasonings incredibly well, too.
  • Spices: Make your own homemade taco seasoning with salt, black pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.
  • Salsa – Feel free to use homemade or your favorite jarred salsa.
  • Pasta – I like to use uncooked shells or rotini as they really hold onto the meat, cheese, and toppings well. 
  • Shredded cheese – Mexican cheese blend is perfect for melting into every bite, but you can use cheddar or whatever your favorite cheese is!
  • Favorite toppings – Prepare your favorite toppings like tortilla chips, sour cream, diced onion, mild salsa, olives, hot sauce, diced tomatoes, or chopped cilantro.
All of the ingredients needed to make taco pasta.

How to Make Cheesy Taco Pasta

  1. Brown the ground turkey: In a large skillet, add ground turkey, salt and pepper. Brown the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any fat. 
  2. Season the meat: Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano. 
  3. Add the dried pasta: Add the salsa, pasta, and water, and stir well. Press pasta into the water as much as possible. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover. 
  4. Cook the pasta: Continue cooking for 14-16 minutes, stir half way through cooking time, until the pasta is soft.
  5. Add the cheese: Turn off the heat and take the skillet off the hot burner. Stir in the cheese. 
  6. Serve the cheesy pasta: Serve hot, and add additional taco toppings if desired.
Step by step instructions to make this pasta recipe.

Tips for Success 

  • Take the time to brown the ground turkey first. This will give the meat a great texture and keep this dish from being too greasy.
  • Prepare a double batch of the seasoning blend to make this easy dinner any night of the week!
  • Keep an eye on the pasta. This recipe is best with al dente pasta, and if it cooks too long, it will get soft and soggy.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use store-bought taco seasoning mix for this recipe if you’re in a time crunch.
  • Feel free to use lean ground beef instead of turkey.
  • Add a can of black beans for a little extra fiber and to stretch the meat.
  • If you have some handy, you can use chicken broth instead of water for a little extra flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cheesy taco pasta healthy? Made with lean ground turkey, spices, and salsa, the base of this one pot recipe is pretty healthy! This recipe does use pasta, which adds some carbs. To make this a complete meal, consider adding more vegetables like a quick cabbage slaw, air fryer broccoli, or Elotes Mexicanos.

Can you make cheesy taco pasta dairy-free? If you need to avoid dairy for any reason, try using dairy-free cheeses in this recipe for a similar experience. I have yet to try this so let me know if it works! Remember to use vegan sour cream, too.

Can you make cheesy taco pasta gluten-free? Try substituting the uncooked pasta in this recipe for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Adjust your cooking time to make sure you don’t overcook the noodles. I recommend tasting the noodles as you go and removing the pan from the heat as soon as they’re fully cooked.

Above view of a pan of taco pasta recipe.

How to Store & Reheat 

How to refrigerate cheesy taco pasta? Add the pasta to your favorite airtight container and cool completely before covering it with the lid. The leftovers will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Store the extra toppings on the side to add them after reheating.

How to keep at room temperature? This recipe must be stored in the refrigerator to stay fresh. If you’re serving it at a party, consider keeping it on a hot plate to hold the temperature above 135 degrees F.

How do you reheat this creamy taco pasta recipe? Take the lid off your meal prep container and pop it in the microwave for 4-5 minutes or until fully cooked. Top your delicious meal with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Can I Freeze Cheesy Taco Pasta?

How to freeze leftover pasta? If you know you want to freeze your leftovers, be sure to stop cooking when the pasta is al dente to keep your pasta from getting too soggy after thawing. Place any leftover pasta in a freezer-safe container. Allow it to cool in the fridge without the cover on. Once it is properly chilled, add the lid and place it in the freezer. It will last well for about 1-3 months. 

How to thaw cheesy taco pasta recipe? Let your container thaw in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, and then reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. Add your favorite toppings, and you’re good to go!

A pan full of taco pasta.

Try these other Mexican-inspired recipes!

  • Stuffed Poblano Peppers
  • Easy Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce
  • Alambre Tacos
  • Sopa De Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup)
  • Mexican Candy Shot

If you’ve tried this cheesy taco pasta recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes!

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A spoonful of pasta above a pan full of pasta.
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Cheesy Taco Pasta

This cheesy taco pasta is a warm, hearty meal full of delicious taco flavors the whole family will love! It's a classic one pot dinner and is your new best friend for those busy weeknights!
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time32 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 449kcal
Author: Tristin – Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup salsa homemade or jarred
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, lettuce, avocados, hot sauce, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, chopped cilantro, or tortilla chips

Instructions

  • In a deep large skillet, add ground turkey, salt and pepper. Brown the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any fat. 
  • Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano. 
  • Add the salsa, pasta, and water, and stir well. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover.
  • Continue cooking for 14-16 minutes, stir halfway through cooking time, until the pasta is soft.
  • Turn off the heat and take the skillet off the hot burner. Stir in the cheese. 
  • Serve hot, and add additional taco toppings if desired.

Notes

    • You can use store-bought taco seasoning mix for this recipe if you’re in a time crunch.
    • Feel free to use lean ground beef instead of turkey.
    • Add a can of black beans for a little extra fiber and to stretch the meat.
    • If you have some handy, you can use chicken broth instead of water for a little extra flavor.
    • Put pasta in an airtight container and cool completely before covering it with the lid. The leftovers will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results. 

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 994mg | Potassium: 702mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1129IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

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Filed Under: Main Dishes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann

    February 15, 2023 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    This was a great pasta dish to make. I did use ground beef versus ground turkey, but it still turned out delicious!

  2. Dennis

    February 15, 2023 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    This was a big hit at my house; everyone went back for seconds!

  3. veenaazmanov

    February 15, 2023 at 8:32 pm

    5 stars
    Easy, quick and a Happy Meal. Pasta is one of my family favorite Dinner option and this One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta looks delicious.

  4. Kathryn

    February 16, 2023 at 10:29 am

    5 stars
    This taco pasta made the best and quickest dinner! It was so easy to make and bursting with flavor. It had all of our favorite taco flavors.

  5. Megan

    February 17, 2023 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    Such a great pasta dish. Loads of flavour and so easy to make.

  6. Kristina

    February 17, 2023 at 12:41 pm

    5 stars
    This taco pasta has great flavor and was extra delicious with 1/2 can of corn and 1/2 can of black beans added. Definitely a keeper!

  7. Isabelle

    February 17, 2023 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    Very good pasta dinner with lots of flavor- I had lots of taco seasoning packets so I used those instead of the seasonings and it turned out delicious.

  8. Amy Liu Dong

    February 17, 2023 at 11:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this recipe last night and everyone in our house loves it.
    So easy and delicious!

  9. Enriqueta E Lemoine

    February 18, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    My kids love both Italian and Mexican food. I made this cheesy taco pasta, and they both loved it. Thanks for this effortless meal!

  10. Cathleen

    February 18, 2023 at 8:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe so much! Thank you so much for sharing, I am going to be making this a lot from now on 🙂

  11. Hayley Dhanecha

    February 20, 2023 at 3:02 am

    5 stars
    Very first time I made Taco pasta using your recipe, must tell you it won’t be the last time. Loved new Mexican flavours, so flavourful and delicious!!

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features easy recipes made with tasty ingredients. Read More…

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